government shutdown

We told you last week the West Metro Corridor project would stop if the state government shuts down. But, today Stearns County Highway Engineer Mitch Anderson told the county board they can't afford any delays in the project. He says they need to get it open to traffic by the scheduled date in November.

If the state government shuts down in two weeks, it won't be just state workers that will be affected. Private companies that work directly with state projects, such as road construction, will also be impacted. State Senator John Pederson of St. Cloud owns Amcon Block. He says he's been advising his workers to plan ahead.

The impact of shutting down Minnesota government would be felt far beyond the state work force. State officials have been warning thousands of outside contractors and vendors that their work and payments could come to an end soon.

Gov. Mark Dayton has filed a petition in Ramsey County court laying out services that he says must be preserved if state government shuts down July 1. The petition filed Wednesday asks the court to order that things like police, emergency and disaster response and public health functions be continued.

The state Department of Human Services is notifying 42,500 child care assistance recipients and providers that they might lose their benefits if the government shuts down July 1st. In Stearns County, Human Services Administrator Dave Rooney says there are hundreds of families affected but they have to wait for the courts to rule before they can make contingency plans.

The state Department of Human Services is notifying hundreds of thousands of clients that they might lose access to health care assistance and other services if Minnesota government shuts down on July 1.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system will send layoff notices to 6,000 employees Friday if it can't work out a deal to get access to its money in a state government shutdown.

The trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system have called an emergency meeting to consider the implications of a state government shutdown. The trustees are scheduled to meet Wednesday morning.

About 800 state workers who were expecting layoff notices this week in preparation for a possible state government shutdown are getting a nine-day reprieve.

The state of Minnesota has warned its private contractors that they won't be paid if the current budget impasse between Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican lawmakers is unresolved by July 1.